December 29, 2025
We're so happy to announce that Das U-Boot, the Universal Bootloader, will be joining SFC! U-Boot is the most popular generic-purpose bootloader and is critical to ensuring that devices remain as open and free as possible. U-Boot has been essential for embedded linux products and is the de facto standard across various processor architectures.
At over 26 years old, U-Boot is a prime example of free software evolving with the times. Various version control systems, testing systems, and build systems have changed and modernized over the years. With a community of various hobbyists and corporate developers, the dedicated team has produced incredibly high quality releases for years.
Tom Rini, a member of the new Project Leadership Committee and longtime leader in the U-Boot community commented "I am personally very proud of this moment. As a project, many of our biggest challenges stem from organizations wanting to help us, but needing an organization that represents U-Boot to work with. SFC's mission aligns very well with our project goals and helps us ensure a long and successful future for the project."
"U-Boot had always been a very critical piece of software for all projects I worked on, and as a contributor and subsystem maintainer I'm happy to join the Project Leadership Committee and help tackle the challenges of joining SFC to ensure a successful future for the project" Says Neil Armstrong, another member of the PLC and Senior Software Engineer, Linaro Limited
"U-Boot has been Foundational Bootloader Strategy for Texas Instruments Embedded Processors for decades . We recognize the critical importance of infrastructure that enables community and strongly support U-Boot to move under the umbrella of Software Freedom Conservancy." Says Syed Mohammed Khasim, Director Open Source Software, Texas Instruments Inc (a sponsor of the project)
SFC has a fundraising match challenge going on right now, so by donating or becoming a sustaining member, your money will count twice! Your contributions are what enable us to support this wide range of initiatives to preserve and grow software freedom for all.